The Niger State Government said it has purchased equipment worth N100 million to forstall the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease in both public and private schools in the state ahead of the October 10resumption date.
Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State said on Wednesday at Nigeria’s 54th Independence Anniversary children’s party in Minna that though there had not been any reported case of the Ebola disease in the state, the state government thought it wise to embark on a proactive measure in order to effectively protect children.
Aliyu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mallam Danladi Abdulhameed, disclosed that the state’s Ministry of Education has trained at least 14,000 teachers to prevent Ebola outbreak in schools across the state.
The governor also revealed that the administration has at the moment expended over N3 billion in the construction and renovation of school buildings across the state, while about N688 million has been invested for the 2014 internal and external exams of the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council for students.
According to him: “Due to all the measures adopted by the state government such as the free education policy, many children from the private schools are leaving and enrolling in public schools.
“Students must shun all forms of negative social vices as government would continue to improve on education.”
On the nations’ 54th Independence Anniversary, Aliyu urged Nigerians to unite for the growth and progress of the country, irrespective of tribe or religion, adding that if there was no independence, there would not have been democracy.
Aliyu also expressed optimism that the abducted Chibok girls would be released and returned to their parents.